'Shoo the flu' season has arrived Published Sept. 12, 2012 By Maj. Julianna L. Olson 934th Aeromedical Staging Squadron MINNEAPOLIS-ST PAUL ARS-- -- Yes, it's that time of year again where the military provides members the protection needed to 'shoo the flu.' The influenza vaccines will be available for the Airmen of the 934th Airlift Wing beginning October 2012 UTA. Mobile shot teams will be out and about on base, and the immunization clinic in Building 840 will be open during the UTA's for scheduled and walk-in visits. It is Department of Defense policy that "influenza immunizations are mandatory for all Active Duty, National Guard, and Reserve personnel." (www.vaccines.mil/Policies/Influenza_-_Seasonal) which means that all Airmen must receive their vaccine from either a DoD clinic or provide proof of vaccination from a civilian provider. This proof must include the following information: manufacture name, vaccine lot number, and expiration date- provider name, location, and phone number- member name- date of vaccination. The documentaion can either bbe turned in to the ASTS or faxed to 612-713-1149. In the United States, more than 36,000 people die related to the influenza virus, and approximately 226,000 are hospitalized. There are hundreds of different influenza strains and each year vaccines are made to prevent the most virulent strains that have the highest potential to lead to epidemics. This is why it is required to receive a 'flu' vaccine every year. The "flu" is a highly contagious disease caused by the influenza virus, and is spread though coughing, sneezing, and secretions (mucous). People may also become infected with influenza by touching something contaminated with the virus and then touching their mouth, nose, or eyes. Most healthy adults are infectious from 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming sick. Symptoms usually don't start until 1 to 4 days after the virus enters the body. That means that a person may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before they know they are sick, as well as while they are sick. Besides receiving the vaccine Airmen can help protect themselves by covering sneezes and coughs with the crook of the arm; wash hands frequently; don't shake hands with someone who is ill; eat healthy, exercise, and get plenty of sleep. The vaccine you Airmen will receive from the 934th is 'inactivated' or a 'killed virus' vaccine that is administered as a shot into the arm muscle. The most common side effects are a slight fever, tenderness at the injection site, and sometimes achy muscles and tiredness. These side effects, if experienced, usually last no longer than a day or two. Most of these side effects can be prevented by being well hydrated (lots of water and no alcohol), and exercise the muscle that the vaccine was received in. Those who are allergic to eggs, or have a history of Guillain-Barre Syndrome should not receive the influenza vaccine and these allergies should be documented in the medical record. The injectable influenza vaccine is safe for pregnant and breast-feeding women. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American Academy of Family Physicians have all recommended the routine vaccination of women who are pregnant, or who become pregnant during the influenza season. Pregnant women, as well as lactating/postpartum women and their newborn babies, are at high risk for influenza complications (Ref: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/preg-guide.htm). By getting the influenza vaccine Airmen are not only protecting themselves, but protecting their loved ones also. So it's time for everyone to roll up their sleeves and shoo the flu! Myths and Facts 1) Myth #1: Having influenza is similar to getting a cold; therefore, an immunization is not really necessary. Fact: On average, more than 226,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, including 20,000 children; about 36,000 people die from influenza each year. Vaccination provides the best protection available from the influenza virus- even when the vaccine does not closely match the circulating flu strains. A vaccination may lessen influenza illness severity and is important for persons at high-risk for serious flu-related complications and for close contacts of high-risk individuals. Ref: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/flushot.htm and http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/disease.htm. 2) Myth #2: Side effects from the influenza vaccine are worse than influenza itself. Fact: The most common side effect you are likely to experience with the injectable influenza vaccine is a sore arm. The risk of a rare allergic reaction is far less than the risk of severe complications from influenza. Live, intranasal influenza vaccine can cause mild symptoms in the recipient. Common side effects can include runny nose, headache, fever, cough, and sore throat. Ref:http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/flushot.htm WWW.VACCINES.MIL/FLU 24 August 2012 17 3) Myth #3: Even if I get the influenza vaccine, can I still be infected with influenza? Fact: Yes. Influenza viruses are always changing. They can change from the time the vaccine is recommended and the beginning of influenza season, or they can even change during a season. Each year, experts study thousands of influenza virus samples from around the world to figure out which viruses are making people sick and how these viruses are changing. With this information, they forecast which three virus strains are most likely to make the most people sick during the next influenza season. Each year, the seasonal influenza vaccine contains three influenza virus strains - one influenza A (H3N2) virus, one influenza A (H1N1) virus, and one influenza B virus. The selection of which viruses to include in the vaccine must be made in February of the prior year in order for vaccine to be produced in time for distribution the following season. When influenza viruses change, they may no longer closely match viruses used to make that season's influenza vaccine. This can make the vaccine less effective. But, even when this happens, the vaccine can still offer some cross-protection: The vaccine contains three viruses, so it can protect you against the other two viruses that may be making people sick. The immune protection you get from the vaccine can provide partial protection against influenza viruses that are related to those used to make the vaccine (this is called cross-protection). So while a less-than-ideal match can reduce vaccine benefit, the vaccine can still provide enough protection to make illness less severe and prevent influenza-related complications. A less-than-perfect vaccine is still the best protection we have against influenza. That is why CDC continues to recommend getting the vaccine even when there is a less-than-perfect match. Ref:http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/season.htm and http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/vaccineeffect.htm 4) Myth #4: Only elderly people really need the influenza vaccine. Fact: Among elderly persons not living in chronic-care facilities (such as nursing homes) and those persons with long-term (chronic) medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), influenza vaccinations are 30-70% effective in preventing hospitalization for pneumonia (a lung infection) and influenza. Among elderly nursing home residents, influenza vaccinations are the most effective in preventing severe illness, complications that may follow influenza (like pneumonia), and deaths related to influenza. Because persons aged 65 years and older are at highest risk for serious complications from influenza, it is also important that people who live with or care for those at high risk for serious complications get an influenza vaccination. Children younger than 6 months of age are at the most risk for having complications from influenza, (WWW.VACCINES.MIL/FLU 24 August 2012 18) however are too young to get the influenza vaccination. To protect these infants, it is very important that their household members and out-of-home caregivers be vaccinated against influenza. Influenza vaccine can prevent 66% or more influenza infections in young children, with even higher estimates for older children, when the vaccine strains are well matched to the flu viruses causing illness. Vaccinating close contacts of children can also help decrease children's risk of getting influenza. Everyone who is healthy and eligible to receive the vaccine should take advantage of the opportunity to boost their immunity to seasonal influenza. Ref:http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/vaccineeffect.htm 5) Myth #5: You must get the influenza vaccine before the influenza season, or it is not worth getting. Fact: Influenza vaccine can be given before or during the influenza season. Influenza vaccinations provide protection against the influenza strains contained in the vaccine through one influenza season. Vaccinations should begin as soon as vaccine is available and continue throughout the influenza season. Ref:http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/misconceptions.htm. 6) Myth #6: I can take medications prescribed by my doctor instead of getting the influenza vaccine. Fact: Antiviral medications given within the first few days of symptom onset can reduce the duration and severity of the disease, but cannot cure it. These drugs are not a substitute for the influenza vaccine. Remember, influenza vaccine is the best defense against seasonal influenza, but antiviral drugs can be an important second line of defense to treat influenza or prevent influenza infection. Ref: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/antiviral/keyfacts.htm.